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Manchester United are planning to add “a defender, a midfielder and a winger next summer, with Eberechi Eze of interest.”
This is according to The MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst, who claims the Red Devils have set their sights on the classy England man.
Luckhurst states that “Crystal Palace talisman Eze, 26, is among the forwards United are monitoring ahead of a probable reinforcement on the flanks next year.”
It is a somewhat confusing claim by the journalist, given that Eze is predominantly known as an attack-minded central midfielder rather than a “forward” who plays on “the flanks”.
It is true that he is capable of playing across the park, but 149 games in central or attacking midfield versus 93 on the left or right midfield or wing speaks to his preferred role.
It may be that Luckhurst has got the right player in his report even though he is talking about the wrong position.
With Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek having left the club and Casemiro and Christian Eriksen likely to follow next summer, central midfield would seem to be screaming out for reinforcements in 2025, and that is an area in which Eze could operate.
Without reinforcements, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo could be the only recognised CM’s left in the squad, although Toby Collyer is pushing hard to make the step up from the academy a permanent one.
Luckhurst also claims that “United are expected to continue tracking Everton centre half Jarrad Branthwaite after having two offers of £43m and £50m rejected for the England international in the summer.”
This is eminently possible, with both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof’s contracts expiring next summer and veteran Jonny Evans also likely to finally hang up his boots.
This would leave Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez as the only centre backs on the roster.
However, the joint cost of Eze, valued at £46 million by transfermarkt.com, and Branthwaite will be around £120 million, more than double this summer’s transfer budget.
It is also surprising that Luckhurst’s report does not include a striker. Moreover, it remains to be seen whether a left back will still be a requirement – this is likely to depend on how successful Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s returns from injury are this season.
How well Rasmus Hojlund and Josh Zirkzee progress and whether emerging talents like Harry Amass, Chido Obi-Martin and Sekou Koné come through will also ultimately decide the true transfer priorities over the months to come. Until then, Luckhurst’s report must be considered pure speculation.
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